Three songs that Colin and The Decemberists have covered to show a wide range of influences. Also, all these songs are totally awesome.

"Mr. Blue Sky," by ELO

"Blues Run the Game," by Jackson Frank

"Everyday is Like Sunday," by Morrissey

8 a.m. John Kelly

What a time to be a music lover! A simple, random walk through the months of the year, sparked by a love of the Decemberists. I'll let you know when I've got a full 12 month cycle selected, and other WTMD listeners could try it out and see what they discover.

"January Song," by Five Times August

"Summersong," by The Decemberists

"November," by Azure Ray

"October is Coming," by Marc Hessenberg & The Tulips

10 a.m. Courtney Block

These are the songs that lift me up when a client has just done a beat down—or if I'm the recipient of some less than good news.

"Cannonball," by The Breeders

"Warning," by Wye Oak

"No Bad News," by Patty Griffin

"Starless Summer Sky," by Marshall Crenshaw

12 p.m. Kenny Friedman

To pay homage to the great Jewish-American artists, I have compiled this very short list. Lou Reed from the Velvet Underground is Jewish. Adam Duritz from Counting Crows is both Jewish and from Baltimore—the double whammy. And Beck is Jewish via his maternal grandmother. He's my wild card.

"Heroin," by Velvet Underground

"Fidelity," by Regina Spektor

"Raining in Baltimore," by Counting Crows

"New Pollution," by Beck

"Shadrach," by Beastie Boys

5 p.m. Hope Ashton

Songs like these were the armor I wore in high school. And if they were books of mine, they'd be dog-eared and falling apart, as testament to my love for them. To call them nostalgic is inaccurate because they're just as relevant and alive today as they were back then.

"Regret," by New Order

"You are the Everything," by R.E.M.

"Kiss Them for Me," by Siouxsie and the Banshees

"Birthday," by The Sugarcubes

"Monkey Gone to Heaven," by The Pixies

7 p.m. Benjamin Pillow

Sonic Youth for my '80s & early '90s upbringing; Bloc Party for the best band I saw at Virgin Fest last year; Drive by Truckers b/c I'm from S.C.; and QOTSA just rock out